Monday, September 24, 2012

Another Look at Salem Oregon

Saturday September 22nd Salem Oregon; 18 years ago today Community United Effort; Cue Center for Missing Persons was founded. What better way to acknowledge this organization that has helped so many and continues to do so than being out on the road today doing one of the many things CUE does so well; supporting families and bringing much needed attention to the missing who are from our own communities where we live.

This stop features the Tour honoree Kerry Johnson and it is awesome to see CUE's State Outreach Coordinator from Oregon on hand and fully invested at this stop. Michelle Mounts has played a huge part in helping Kerry Johnsons's family make this stop happen. Michelle has brought with her family and friends making this truly a Community United Effort.

As I begin taking pictures of the stop I come upon the family and introduce myself. Thirty years later and still no answers......unbelievable. I cannot even imagine, it's just not right. For me that not knowing was always the hardest part. I imagine thirty years of getting up every morning and wondering, thirty years of searching and constantly looking over your shoulder, thirty years of living without your loved one.  What gets a family like this through? I am sure that it is different for all, whether it be faith or that feeling of commitment and doing the right thing, or hope. Without hope what is there? Perhaps it's determination and not wanting there to be any more damage to a family already in pain. I know many times that these cases can tear a family apart and change the family relationships and dynamics forever. I experienced some of that in my own family. More than likely what keeps a family like this going is simply love.

The stop is in the parking lot of a busy mall and many people pass by, some stop and take a deeper look and ask questions and that is half the battle. Awareness; all it takes is one person to come forward and share something that has never been shared before, that one missing piece of the puzzle, the final one that can and will bring resolution to a family. The one that can bring home a missing loved one even thirty years later!
Lisa Valentino

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